Control

Conflict comes down to control. Control of self, control of opponent, the opponents control of self and control of us. What one is willing or able to do results in the kind and level of all conflict. We all have a choice and the stronger we are about ourselves the stronger we are against conflict. Control of situations and/or persons is how we avoid conflict, starting with self first and foremost.

If we both make the relationship with our self strong and impervious to outside influences and stimuli that we have no need to act violently. Loss of control, ours or the opponents, determines this.

If we gain and maintain control of ourselves then how can we enter a conflict or be forced to enter into conflict, situations that lead to conflict and reaction to stimuli that takes us to conflict.

I Ching and many other classics teach us to first see ourselves as we truly are, to learn about our strengths and weaknesses and build a relationship to the self first and foremost before we attempt to achieve balance in life and with others. If we do this then we have the strength and resolve to avoid and deflect all situations and stimuli that could control us.

To achieve control we first must achieve control over our minds. The mind effects the body so the next step is to establish control over our bodies. By achieving this we control ourselves so well that our mind and body CANNOT be controlled by another mind/body, an opponent.

If we control our mind and body then aggression and/or aggressive behavior cannot assume control over us. We have and always will have that control if we wish to have it. Our control is only lost when we allow others to take control of us be it a snarky comment or an overt act perceived by OUR MIND as some slight, etc. See, we control everything. Nothing as to our control be it ours to manage or theirs to mismanage, the control is ours if we practice and train to control ourselves, the mind and body.

We humans find that they do not have control they seek to gain it back yet they tend to seek that ability outside of themselves. Expectations of others is always going to provide us the excuse to remain out of control. Only by seeking help within ourselves can we truly find freedom and control of the mind and body. This is one of the main benefits of martial training and practice!

No where else is it more evident than in martial training then the mind-body relationship to achieve control over the self. Martial arts are geared toward first achieving victory over the self before victory over our opponents. It fails us if we don't establish self control first for to apply martial principles and techniques requires self-discipline and a high degree of self-control. Martial arts will let you know quickly and painfully that you or your associate have lost control, it hurts when that happens.

To affect your opponent is not the point of martial arts, to maintain control of yourself is the corner stone of the martial arts.

Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.